AGCO is taking a new step towards intelligent manufacturing through a partnership with US-based Agility Robotics, a company specialising in humanoid robotics and physical artificial intelligence. The two companies have signed a commercial agreement to explore the integration of AI-powered humanoid robots into agricultural machinery production.
The initiative will initially focus on AGCO’s manufacturing facility in Hesston, Kansas, where a pilot programme is expected to begin in 2027. The project forms part of the group’s broader strategy to develop increasingly flexible and automated production environments, combining advanced robotics with human expertise.
Digit to Handle Repetitive and Physically Demanding Tasks
At the centre of the project is Digit, Agility Robotics’ humanoid robot designed specifically for industrial applications. Unlike conventional industrial robots, which typically operate in fixed workstations, Digit is designed to move within environments originally developed for human workers.
During the initial phase, the robot will support selected assembly and production activities, including sorting and stacking components and positioning containers used for material storage.
These operations often involve repetitive movements, physical effort and potentially challenging ergonomic conditions. By assigning such tasks to humanoid robots, AGCO aims to reduce physical strain on employees while improving operational efficiency and allowing skilled workers to concentrate on more complex, higher-value activities.
“This strategic relationship views humanoid robotics and AI as essential ‘teammates’ in building flexible, intelligent factories,” said Thomas Enghof, AGCO’s Director of Manufacturing Technology.
According to Enghof, the technology offers opportunities to automate complex workflows traditionally dependent on human intervention, particularly where repetitive, strenuous or hazardous operations are involved.
Artificial Intelligence for More Flexible Factories
One of Digit’s main characteristics is its integration of advanced artificial intelligence, enabling the robot to adapt to changing production requirements and workflows.
The system can also operate alongside Agility Arc, a cloud-based platform developed to deploy, coordinate and manage fleets of humanoid robots across industrial facilities.
This approach is intended to simplify the introduction of automation into existing manufacturing environments, potentially reducing the need for major infrastructure modifications or costly factory upgrades.
For agricultural machinery manufacturers, where production processes frequently involve different machine configurations, components and assembly requirements, such flexibility could become increasingly valuable.
The technology also reflects a broader transformation of industrial automation, moving beyond traditional fixed robotic systems towards more adaptable solutions capable of operating alongside human workers.
AGCO Joins Toyota, GXO and Schaeffler
Through this agreement, AGCO joins a growing group of international companies exploring the industrial potential of Agility Robotics’ humanoid technology, including Toyota, logistics specialist GXO and automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler.
“We’re excited to work alongside AGCO as they continue to lead the way in agricultural innovation,” said Daniel Diez, Chief Business Officer of Agility Robotics.
Diez highlighted the opportunity to strengthen manufacturing processes, assist employees with demanding operations and demonstrate the practical benefits of advanced robotics in modern industrial environments.
A New Frontier for Agricultural Machinery Production
Although the initial application will be limited to specific manufacturing tasks, the agreement signals AGCO’s interest in the potential of humanoid robotics as part of the next generation of agricultural machinery factories.
The planned 2027 pilot will provide an opportunity to evaluate how effectively Digit can be integrated into existing production workflows and whether the technology can deliver measurable improvements in productivity, safety and operational flexibility.
For AGCO, the objective is not simply to introduce robots into its factories, but to explore a manufacturing model in which artificial intelligence, humanoid automation and human expertise work together.
The Hesston project could therefore represent an important testing ground for the wider adoption of humanoid robotics in agricultural equipment manufacturing.
